10 Tips for Driving in the Fog

by Penny Beaty

10 Tips for Driving in the Fog

Fog can create extremely dangerous driving conditions that can come upon you quickly without warning. Fog is a cloud covering the ground formed when warm moist air mixes with cold air causing visibility to drop in a matter of minutes.

The number of pile-ups caused by fog is staggering. More than a thousand trucks and cars have stacked up on the nation’s highways over the last two years. When fog creates dangerous conditions on the road, it is best to pull over in a safe parking area and wait until the fog clears. If you must continue driving through the fog, keep these driving safety tips in mind:

Make your vehicle visible

Drive with low beams and fog lights on. High beams can worsen visibility because they reflect off the fog, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road. Avoid using flashing lights while driving in the fog.

Minimize Distractions

Turn off your cell phone and the stereo. It is critical that drivers stay focused on the road to stay safe.

Listen

Roll down your window to help you hear other traffic on the road.

Turn on Your Windshield Wipers

Use windshield wipers and defrosters to limit excess moisture on the window.

Reduce Your Speed

Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination. When you can’t see other vehicles or the road, a low speed can help you react safely. Use your speedometer as a guide to regulate your speed, because thick fog masks the sensation of speed by removing visual indicators of velocity.

Turn off Your Cruise Control

Turn off cruise control to give you more control of your vehicle.

Increase Your Following Distance

A safe following distance is crucial in fog. Drivers tend to "bunch up" during foggy driving conditions because they feel it’s easier to see. Following too closely is one of the big reasons why massive pile-ups occur. Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.

Stay in Your Lane

To ensure you are staying in the proper lane, use the right-side pavement line as a guide. Following the lines and reflectors on the road will help you navigate the turns and twist in the road.

Use Your Signals

As always, you should use your turn signals. Other drivers may be using your taillights as a guide, so alert them that you’re pulling off the road.

Do Not Stop on the Road

When visibility is severely limited, find a safe place to park away from travel lanes and wait for conditions to improve. If you can’t see, neither can anyone else. Pull off away from the road. If drivers can’t see the shoulder, they likely won’t see your vehicle either. Turn on your hazard lights to help other drivers know you’re stopped.

Fog can create extremely dangerous driving conditions that can come upon you quickly without warning. Fog is a cloud covering the ground formed when warm moist air mixes with cold air causing visibility to drop in a matter of minutes.

The number of pile-ups caused by fog is staggering. More than a thousand trucks and cars have stacked up on the nation’s highways over the last two years. When fog creates dangerous conditions on the road, it is best to pull over in a safe parking area and wait until the fog clears. If you must continue driving through the fog, keep these driving safety tips in mind: